Combined hatch cover and ventilator for storage tanks



June 17, 1952 w. F. WAGNER 2,600,947

COMBINED HATCH COVER AND VENTILATOR FOR STORAGE TANKS Filed May 27, 1950 22 252 28 521 ia wr I ISmoentor lifwjmf' Wayne]? (Ittomeg Patented June 17, 1952 COMBINED HATCH COVER AND VENTI- LATOR FOR STORAGE TANKS Wilhelm F. Wagner, Williamsville, N. Y. Application May 27, 1950, Serial No. 164,798

11 Claims. 1

This invention relates to tanks and more particularly relates to a combined hatch cover and ventilator for tanks.

The invention, while adaptable to various tanks, is especially well adapted for use in connection with the wooden or metal water storage tanks of fire extinguishing apparatuses known as sprinkler systems.

According to standards specified by the National Board of Fire Underwriters or similar agencies, the water storage tanks of sprinkler systems must be located at an elevation considerably above the sprinkler system to provide a water head calculated to adequately supply the system when needed; and to insure that the water will flow into the system in cold weather, a heating system for maintaining the stored water at a temperature well above its freezing point, is also specified.

Sprinkler system tanks include a roof and, while such tanks may be of various shapes and formed of wood or metal or combinations thereof, they are usually cylindrical in form and have a conical shaped roof which must be provided with a suitable hatch opening and a hatch cover. The tank of a sprinkler system is filled with water which may remain in the tank for long periods of time and due to impurities become stagnant. This stagnation of the water, together with the application of heat to prevent freezing in cold weather, generates foul air, warm gases and vapors which in rising are condensed on cold parts of the roof and the hatch cover. The condensation thus formed may be more or less corrosive and in time causes rotting and corrosion of wooden and metal parts of the roof, particularly the hatch cover and areas around the hatch opening.

In accordance with standards specified by fire underwriters the roof of a sprinkler tank must be provided with a hatch or access opening so that the interior of the tank may be inspected, the condition of the water checked and the tank cleaned when necessary.

The hatch opening must be at least 20 x 22 inches and the area of this minimum size opening (440 square inches) if it were used for ventilating the tank would provide many times the amount of vent area necessary to adequately ventilate a tank under all climatic conditions, however, at the present time the hatch opening must be enclosed by a hatch cover which, aside from some slight leakage between its edges and the frame of the opening upon which it is removably secured, is air tight. No positive ventilation is specified for metal tanks and the only positive ventilation specified for wooden tanks is six equally spaced one inch pipe nipples secured in holes formed in the roof below its apex. The total vent area of the six nipples, being less than five square inches, apparently is inadequate and for this reason the specified nipple method of ventilating a tank has proven unsatisfactory for in time parts of the tank and roof rot or corrode and must be replaced at considerable expense.

When it is considered that a sprinkler tank is usually located at a considerable height and that even though the tank is originally built or repaired by using prefabricated parts, the assembly or repair of such tanks is a hazardous, difficult and expensive job. Since the six vent nipples must necessarily be installed after completion of the roof the hazards and expense involved in proportion to the total cost of the tank are relatively large and for this and other reasons, the installation of an additional number of vent nipples to adequately ventilate the tank is not considered to be an economic solution of the problem.

Insofar as I am aware, the hatch covers of storage tanks have never included positive ventilating means to utilize their hatch openings for ventilating the tank independently of other ventilating means.

The objects of my invention are to utilize the hatch opening in the roof of a storage tank to ventilate the tank independently of other ventilation openings in the tank; to provide a simple and inexpensive hatch cover which, when removably secured over the hatch opening, prevents birds and foreign matter from getting into the tank, and which includes a ventilating feature having baflle plates arranged to provide tortuous paths for the escape of foul air and gaseous vapors from the tank and their replacement by fresh outside air to provide a combined hatch cover and ventilator in which the baflie plates are arranged to entrap and direct condensation and liquids to one end of the cover; and to provide means for removing entrapped condensation and liquids.

The foregoing and other objects will appear from a perusal of the detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of the upper portion of a sprinkler system water storage tank and a combined hatch cover and tank ventilator shown in its hatch closing and tank ventilation position in full lines and in its removed position in dot and dash lines.

Figure 2 is an enlarged side elevational view with a side portion of the hatch cover broken away to show the ventilating and draining features.

Figure 3 is a further enlarged end elevational view with a portion of the end wall broken away and showing the bafile plates of the ventilating feature in section.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary bottom plan View of one lower corner of the cover and showing the arrangement of one set of bafile plates and the means for draining condensation therefrom and,

Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of a modified baffle strip formed to collect and direct condensation through the hatch and into the tank.

Referring now to the drawing, a conically shaped roof ll] of a cylindrical sprinkler system tank H is formed with a rectangular access or hatch opening l2. The opening I2 is framed to reinforce the roof at this point and the framing extends above the opening to prevent water from running down the roof and into the opening. For example, the opening may be framed by an angle iron frame 13 which has its lateral flange I4 extended over and sealingly secured to the roof so that its upstanding flange 15 extends above and is substantially contiguous to the perimeter of the opening [2.

In order to prevent birds or foreign matter from entering the hatch opening and fouling the water or possibly plugging the tank outlet, the opening is enclosed by an inverted box-like hatch cover unit and to utilize the hatch opening for adequately ventilating the tank, independent of other ventilation means, the unit 20 is provided with side openings and a series of internal overlapping baflie plates spaced and arranged to cause air or gases entering or leaving the tank to follow tortuous paths around the baflie plates, thereby reducing or restricting their flow through the unit to an amount sufficiently to adequately ventilate the tank under most climatic conditions, but insuflicient to cause undue loss of heat and water vapors. Under extreme conditions some condensation may occur so the baffle plates are preferably arranged to entrap such condensation which by means of suitable openings or conduits is removed therefrom.

The unit 20 may be fabricated from any suitable materials but is preferably made of sheet metal and is formed with parallel end walls l6 and I1, side walls l8 and a top wall or cover 2|, thus providing a box-like rectangular inverted body for enclosing the hatch opening. The size of the unit 20 is such that its open bottom loosely fits over the flange l5 of the frame l3 when it is positioned on the flange Hi to enclose the hatch opening l2 and is removably secured in a manner to be presently described, so that it cannot he accidentally displaced.

As best seen in Figure 3 each of the side walls [8 terminates below the side edges of the cover 2| to provide side openings 24 and is formed with an inwardly extending bafile strip H) which, being spaced below and parallel to a marginal portion 22 of the cover 2| has its ends secured to the end walls l6 and I], thus providing a continuous open passageway 25 at each side of the unit 20. Another bafiie strip 26 is located parallel to and spaced below each of the strips l9 and has one of its sides sealingly secured to one of the side walls and its ends likewise secured to the end walls 16 and I1, thereby pro- 4 viding a continuous pocket 21 below each baffle IS.

A bafiie plate 28, being supported in an inwardly spaced and parallel relation to the cover 2| by having its ends secured to the end walls [6 and I1, is formed with marginal side portions 29 each of which being partially extended into one of the pockets 2'! is overlapped by and located in spaced parallel relation to the pair of baflie strips [9 and. 26. The marginal portions '29, being so arranged, with respect to the baffle strips 26 and [9 provide open tortuous continuations of the passageways 25 thereby restricting or reducing the outward flow of foul air, gases and vapors and the inward flow of fresh air therethrough to an amount adequate to ventilate the tank without undue loss of heat and water vapors.

The inward spacing of the baille plate 28 from the cover 2| provides therebetween a passageway fal which is in open communication with each of the passageways 25 so that fresh air in entering one of the passageways 25 and in flowing transversely through the passageway 3| and through the other passageway 25 causes foul air, gases or vapors to be withdrawn from the tank through one of the tortuous passageways and replaced by fresh air entering the other tortuous passageway.

A single spacer 32 being extended transversely across the middle of each passageway 25 is secured to the opposite faces of the bafiie l9 and the marginal portion 22 in a plane normal thereto thus dividing the span of the passageways between the end walls and thereby stiffening the structure. Obviously more spacers may be used if desired.

The inclination of the unit 20 due to the pitch of the roof, naturally causes any liquids or, condensation which under extreme conditions may collect on the under sides of the bafiles l9 and 28 and the upper side of the baffle 26 to run to the lower end of the unit where it may be collected and removed by any suitable openings or conduits, however, it is preferred that the baffle strips l9 and 26 and the marginal portions 22 and 29 be outwardly and downwardly inclined (Figure 3) so as to more effectively direct any condensation formed thereon to the lower end of the inclined pockets 21. Due to the outward and downward inclination of the baffle strips I5, 26 and the marginal portions 22, 29 these members also serve to reinforce and stiffen the unit 20, so that it may be formed of light gage sheet metal. A unit thus formed, while relatively light in weight and readily movable, is not easily deformed before, during or after its installation. In order to prevent an accumulation, inthe lower end of the pockets 21, of any appreciable quantities of liquids or condensation which may be corrosive, the upper end of a suitable tube or conduit 33 is secured in the lowermost corner of each pocket 21.

In the present adaptation each tube is formed so that its lower end is located inwardly from a lower inner corner of the frame l3 and the opening I2. By reason of this arrangement of the tubes all liquids or condensations getting into the pockets 21 are removed therefrom and in running or dripping from the tubes are directed through the opening I2 and into the tank ll, so that corrosion or rotting of the hatch frame and areas of the roof thereabout are prevented.

To prevent smaller amounts of condensation, which may form on the underside of the baflies 26, from running or dripping between the sides of the unit and the hatch frame and in time causing them to corrode or rot, the lower end portion of each baffle strip 26 has its lower surface formed with a V-shaped projection 34 adjacent its lower end. Each projection 34 is angularly arranged to direct condensation to its lower end 35 which, being inwardly spaced from the perimeter of the hatch opening, directs any condensation which may run or drip therefrom directly through the opening l2 and into the tank.

In the modified form of baflie strip 26 shown in Figure 5 its lower end portion is bent upwardly along a pair of angularly related planes to provide a pair of angularly related valleys thus providing a triangularly shaped sump 36. Condensation in moving along the upper surface of the baffle 26 enters and is directed by the valleys to the lowermost point of the sump which is provided with an opening'ill arranged to direct the condensation directly through the opening l2 and into the tank, so that a tube or conduit is not necessary, but, may be used if desired. Condensation in moving along the lower surface .of the bafiles is directed by the ridges 38 and 39 formed at the juncture of the sides of the sump to its lowermost point (the edges of the hole) and runs or drips therefrom directly through the opening 12 and into the tank.

The unit 26 must be removed from its hatch enclosing position to another position to provide access to the tank from time to time and to prevent accidental displacement of the unit in either of its positions or during movement thereto it is slidably secured on a pair of rods 4L. The rods 4| are secured to the roof in an outwardly spaced parallel relation to the side walls [8 and being extended through holes 43 formed in the projecting ends of a bar 42 secured to the end wall [6 prevent displacement of the unit. To further insure against displacement of the unit 20 in its hatch enclosing position a suitable pin or lock (not shown) may be engaged through an eye 44 secured to roof ID and over a hasp 45 pivotally secured to the end wall I! and swung over the eye, all in the usual manner. The holes 53 are of a larger diameter than the rods 4| so that after removing the pin or lock and swinging the hasp away from the eye, the unit may be swung upwardly about its connection to the rods to clear the hatch frame I3, by a handle 46 secured to the end wall l1 and may then be pushed upwardly along the rods M to a position shown in broken lines in Figure 1. In this position, the unit, being retained by the rods 4!, is prevented from sliding down the rods by resting against the top of the frame l3 and the hatch is fully open to provide access to the tank.

The unit 20 is not moved frequently, however, to prevent it from contacting and possibly damaging the roof when it is moved, the parallel rods M are preferably arranged in a plane upwardly and outwardly divergent from the plane of the roof.

It will be understood that the herein described and illustrated forms of my combined hatch cover and ventilator are intended to exemplify the principles of the invention as applied to sprinkler system tanks and that to adapt the unit for use with other types of tanks various modifications and arrangements of the 6 component parts of the unit may be made within the scope of the appended claims wherein I claim:

1. In combination, a sprinkler system water storage tank having a framed hatch opening in its sloping roof, and a combined hatch cover and ventilator unit for enclosing the hatch opening and ventilating the tank, said unit comprising an inverted box-like body having oppositely disposed openings located in its side wall adjacent its top wall, a baffle strip adjoining the side wall at the bottom of each opening and extending inwardly in spaced relation to the top wall to provide a transversely short passage therebetween at opposite sides of the body, a similar baffle strip secured to the side wall in spaced relation to and beneath each of the first baffle strips to provide an inwardly opening condensation entrapping pocket at opposite sides of the body, a bafile plate spaced below the top wall to provide a transverse passage in opencommunication with the short passages for the free flow of gases through the passages, said bafiie plate having each of its opposite marginal edge portions partially extended into one of the pockets and located between the bafiie strips thereof whereby the baffle strips and the edge portions of the bafile plate cooperate in reducing the flow of gases through the pockets and in directing condensation formed thereon into the pockets, means for draining condensation from the lower ends of the pockets and directing it through the hatch opening and into the tank, and means for remov ably securing the unit in its hatch enclosing and tank ventilating position.

2. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein the upper end of the body is tiltably and slidably secured on parallel guide rods rigidly secured to the roof and is provided with handle means for tilting and sliding the unit along the rods from its hatch enclosing posi-- tion to a position beyond the hatch opening to provide access to the interior of the tank.

3. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein the bafile strips are outwardly and downwardly inclined to insure directing condensation formed thereon into the pockets, and said draining means including a tube connected to the lower end of each pocket and a rib on each lower bafile strip both arranged to direct the condensation away from the unit and into the tank.

4. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein the bafile strips and the marginal edge portions of the bafile plate are spaced to provide adequate ventilation of the tank, to prevent undue loss of heat and water vapor, and to exclude small birds and other foreign matter.

5. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein side marginal portions of the top wall, the baflle strips, and the marginal portions of the baflle plate lie in parallel planes and are outwardly and downwardly inclined to effectively deflect and exclude foreign matter and said baffie strips and marginal portion also serve to direct condensation into said pockets.

6. A combined removable hatch cover and ventilator unit for sprinkler system water storage tanks comprising a box-like body having oppositely disposed openings located in its side wall adjacent its top wall, a bafile strip adjoining the side wall at the bottom of each open ing and extending inwardly in spaced relation to the top wall to provide a transversely short passage therebetween at opposite sides of the body, a similar baflle strip secured to the side wall in spaced relation to and beneath each of the first bafiie strips to provide an inwardly opening condensation entrapping pocket at opposite sides of the body, a baflie plate spaced below the top wall to provide a transverse passage in open communication with the short passages for the free flow of gases through said passages, said bafile plate having each of its opposite marginal edge portions partially extended into one of the pockets and located between the bafiie strips thereof, whereby the baffle strips and the marginal edge portions of the bafile plate provide tortuous passages between said passages and the interior of the body and cooperate in reducing the flow of gases therethrough and in directing condensations formed thereon into the pockets, means for draining condensation from the lower ends of the pockets and directing it through the hatch opening and into the tank, and means for removably securing the unit in its hatch enclosing tank ventilating position.

7. A combined hatch cover and ventilator unit as set forth in claim 6 wherein the upper end of the body is provided with means for tiltably and slidably securing it on parallel guide rods rigidly secured to the roof to prevent the unit being accidentally displaced, means are provided to secure the body in place over the hatch opening, and a handle is secured to the lower end of the body for tilting and sliding the unit along the rods to and from its hatch enclosing position.

8. A combined hatch cover and ventilator unit as set forth in claim 6 wherein the baffle strips are outwardly and downwardly inclined to insure directing condensation formed thereon into the pockets and toward said condensation conducting and directing means.

9. A combined hatch cover and ventilator unit as set forth in claim 6 wherein the baffle strips and the marginal edge portions of the baffie plate are spaced to provide adequate ventilation of the tank, to prevent undue loss of heat and water vapor and to exclude small birds and other foreign matter.

10 A combined hatch cover and ventilator unit as set forth in claim 6 wherein the marginal edge portions of the baffle plate are outwardly and downwardly inclined to insure directing condensation formed thereon into the condensation receiving pockets and to stiffen the plate.

11. A combined hatch cover and ventilator unit as set forth in claim 6 wherein the marginal portions of the top wall, the baffle strips and the marginal portions of the baffle plate are outwardly and downwardly inclined and lie in spaced parallel planes to deflect and thereby prevent foreign matter from entering the tank and to stiffen the unit against deformation, said marginal portions of the baffie plate and the bafiie strips also serving to direct condensation into said pockets, and said pocket draining means including ribs and tubes formed and arranged at the lowermost end of the unit to guide and direct condensation into the tank.

WILHELM F. WAGNER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 267,829 Betts Nov. 21, 1882 1,306,866 Sylvan June 1'7, 1919 1,402,135 Barton Jan. 3, 1922 1,737,648 Edsall Dec. 3, 1929 1,917,623 Wiggins July 11, 1933 2,005,469 Nelson et al June 18, 1935 2,379,638 Hughes et al. July 3, 1945 2,532,818 Langel Dec. 5, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 431,231 Great Britain July 3, 1935 

